Mansfield and Sutton play out goalless draw

League Two play-off hopefuls Mansfield and Sutton battled out a scrappy 0-0 stalemate in a dour game.

It was a first ever point for the Stags against the visitors, having lost their three previous encounters, but it was a third draw in a row and a fourth game without a win too as Nigel Clough’s men again failed to make up ground at the top.

Mansfield sit in eighth place in the table, three points off the top seven, with Sutton two points behind them.

A scrappy and frustrating first half saw neither goalkeeper tested and injury-hit Mansfield’s problems increased as early as the 20th minute as defender Riley Harbottle had to go off after a clash of heads with Coby Rowe.

Sutton had two good chances as Ben Goodliffe headed just over at the far post from a Rob Milsom free-kick in the 48th minute and soon after home keeper Christy Pym did well to block a poked finish by Alistair Smith from close range.

The Stags’ first goal attempt of the afternoon took 52 minutes as Alfie Kilgour headed over a Kieran Wallace free-kick.

Davis Keillor-Dunn came even closer in the 75th minute as his curling effort went just over the far angle after Lucas Akins had won the ball on the right byline.